Missa Solemnis

Description

Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis Returns to Chattanooga

Ludwig van Beethoven never wrote music to sit quietly in the background. His Missa Solemnis is no exception. This towering work is more than a mass—it is a dramatic, symphonic statement that challenges performers and captivates audiences. “My aim in this composition for this huge mass,” Beethoven wrote, “is both to stir and constantly preserve the religious emotions of both the singers and the listeners.”

This spring, Chattanooga audiences will have a rare chance to experience Missa Solemnis live. This performance, thought to be only the third in the city’s history, is the first in nearly 30 years. The Chattanooga Bach Choir, under the direction of David Long, will lead the production. The orchestra will include musicians from the Chattanooga Symphony as well as guests from the Nashville, Knoxville, and Huntsville Symphonies.

Mark Reneau’s Farewell Performance: The Benedictus Violin Solo

One of the most breathtaking moments in Missa Solemnis is the Benedictus. Here, Beethoven shifts from grand intensity to delicate beauty. As the orchestra softens, a solo violin rises above the voices with a melody of quiet grace.

This performance will feature Chattanooga Bach Choir’s longtime concertmaster, Mark Reneau, in his final appearance with the ensemble. After years of leadership and artistry, this performance serves as his farewell. His playing will bring a sense of warmth and poignancy to an already luminous passage.

A Work of Uncompromising Scope

Artistic Director David Long describes Missa Solemnis as “one of the great masterpieces of Western music.” Unlike Beethoven’s Mass in C Major, this later work is far more ambitious. It is also significantly more complex. Beethoven never intended it for routine worship. Instead, he created a piece that belongs in the concert hall—one that moves between grandeur and hushed intensity, sometimes within a single phrase.

Long explains Beethoven’s approach:

“In Missa Solemnis, Beethoven treats the orchestral and vocal forces symphonically, shaping a musical landscape that ranges from thunderously ecstatic to serenely meditative. The ‘Benedictus’ in particular stands apart—a moment of exquisite stillness, where the violin rises in ethereal beauty above the choral forces. We look forward to bringing this magnificent work to Chattanooga audiences after such a long absence.”

Featured Soloists Bring Beethoven’s Vision to Life

To bring Beethoven’s score to life, four distinguished soloists will join the performance:

• Melissa Larkin Schultz, soprano
• Rosella Ewing, mezzo-soprano
• Gene Stenger, tenor
• Matthew Hoch, bass

Each soloist plays a critical role. The Credo, for example, demands precision and stamina as Beethoven sets the text in a relentless fugue. Later, the Agnus Dei takes a more dramatic turn, weaving military themes into sacred music. These passages require not only technical mastery but also deep musical expression.

Why This Missa Solemnis Performance Matters

Live performances of Missa Solemnis are rare. The work is demanding, both for musicians and audiences. Yet when performed well, it delivers an experience unlike any other.

For Chattanooga, this performance is long overdue. For Mark Reneau, it marks the end of an era. And for those in attendance, it is a rare chance to witness Beethoven at his most powerful. His music—challenging, expressive, and deeply human—demands to be heard.